We have located links that may give you full text access.
Resistance exercise and breast cancer related lymphedema - a systematic review update.
Disability and Rehabilitation 2019 January 14
BACKGROUND: Purpose of this systematic review update was analyzing resistance exercise (RE) intervention trials in breast cancer survivors (BCS) regarding their effect on breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) status. Articles published until 31 September 2017 were included.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Included articles were analyzed regarding their level of evidence and their methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
RESULTS: Altogether, 23 articles could be included of which 16 were independent RE intervention studies and seven additional articles. Lymphedema assessment was so heterogeneous that conduction of a thorough meta-analysis regarding lymphedema status was still impossible. In all but one study, which reported a small but methodologically weak increase in arm volume, no negative effects of RE on BCRL was recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: RE seems to be a safe exercise intervention for BCS and not to be harmful concerning the risk of lymphedema. Lymphedema assessment methods that allow for a qualitative analysis of arm tissue composition should be favored. Implications for rehabilitation Breast cancer-related lymphedema affects a considerable proportion of breast cancer patients and is debilitating on the physical, functional, social, and psychological domain. At the current time breast cancer related lymphedema is incurable but well manageable by a number of physical therapy modalities, especially complete decongestive therapy (CDT). One of the encouraging treatment methods is resistance exercise.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Included articles were analyzed regarding their level of evidence and their methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
RESULTS: Altogether, 23 articles could be included of which 16 were independent RE intervention studies and seven additional articles. Lymphedema assessment was so heterogeneous that conduction of a thorough meta-analysis regarding lymphedema status was still impossible. In all but one study, which reported a small but methodologically weak increase in arm volume, no negative effects of RE on BCRL was recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: RE seems to be a safe exercise intervention for BCS and not to be harmful concerning the risk of lymphedema. Lymphedema assessment methods that allow for a qualitative analysis of arm tissue composition should be favored. Implications for rehabilitation Breast cancer-related lymphedema affects a considerable proportion of breast cancer patients and is debilitating on the physical, functional, social, and psychological domain. At the current time breast cancer related lymphedema is incurable but well manageable by a number of physical therapy modalities, especially complete decongestive therapy (CDT). One of the encouraging treatment methods is resistance exercise.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices 
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app